Dormition of the Theotokos 2021-08-15

St. Thomas Orthodox Church: A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Hymns in Today’s Liturgy

Resurrectional Apolytikion (Tone 7)

Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy. And didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning, that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the Great Mercy.

Apolytikion of the Dormition (Tone 1)

In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for thou wast translated into life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.

Kontakion of the Dormition (Tone 2)

Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, and whose prayers are never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control. But since she is the Mother of Life, He Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb did translate her to life.

Epistle

Philippians 2:5–11

Brethren, let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, did not think it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming Himself in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. For this cause also God highly exalted Him, and gave Him a Name which is above every name; that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and those who are on earth, and those who are under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel

Luke 10:38–42; 11:27–28

At that time, Jesus entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and said, “Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As He said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that Thou didst suck!” But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Synaxarion

On 15 August, in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the venerable Dormition and Translation of our supremely glorious Lady the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.

That the world-saving Maiden died is no marvel, Since, after the flesh, the world’s Maker died also. God’s Mother liveth forever, though she died on the fifteenth.

The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and revealed to her that within three days she will find repose. She returned to her home with great joy, desiring in her heart once more to see in this life, all of the Apostles of Christ. The Lord fulfilled her wish and all of the Apostles, borne by angels in the clouds, gathered at the same time at the home of John on Zion. After seeing them, the Theotokos peacefully gave up her soul to God without any pain or physical illness. The Apostles took the coffin with her body from which an aromatic fragrance emitted and, in the company of many Christians, bore it to the Garden of Gethsemane to the sepulcher of her parents, Saints Joachim and Anna. Only the Apostle Thomas was absent, according to God’s Providence, in order that a new and all-glorious mystery of the Holy Theotokos would again be revealed. On the third day, Thomas arrived and desired to venerate the body of the Holy All-pure one. But when the Apostles opened the sepulcher, they found only the winding sheet and the body was not in the tomb. That evening, the Theotokos appeared to the apostles surrounded by a myriad of angels and said to them: “Rejoice, I will be with you always.”

By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O God, have mercy on us and save us, since Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.